It’s always a pleasure to be included as faculty for the PLI’s Corporate Compliance & Ethics Institute. This one and a half day program will be held this year (2012) on May 10-11 in Chicago. It’s intended for anyone involved in any aspect of corporate compliance and ethics — not just lawyers (but if you’re a lawyer, you’ll be happy to know there are CLE credits, check the website for how many credits your state recognizes).

This year I’ll be on a panel with Alice Peterson and Robert Slaughter and we’ll be addressing the general topic of “Board Oversight & Program Structure: The Authority & Independence of a Program.” We’ll be discussing key issues such:

Chief Compliance Officer Positioning

The Compliance and Ethics Network: Compliance Liaisons and Leveraging Other Functions

Program Staffing

How Can Boards Really Add Value?

How to Create the Right Level of Independence and Authority for Your Program

As you know, no matter how large or small your company or client is, paying careful attention to corporate compliance and ethics is no longer optional. The full schedule for the two days is included in the hyperlink to the program, and it likely addresses many of the questions you have about corporate compliance and ethics.

By the way, one of the reasons this Chicago program is usually so outstanding is because it is chaired by Ted Banks, formerly Chief Counsel & Senior Director, Global Compliance Policy, at Kraft Foods. Ted is an engaging speaker and brings with him his wealth of experience as the overall moderator of the program. With Ted and so many other fine speakers, I always try to stay for the whole program!